Every decade comes with its own fashion, style, and beauty standards. As we have noticed so far, beauty standards have changed from 100 years ago, and what some decades considered attractive, other decades saw as cringeworthy.
It teaches us that superficial beauty changes from decade to decade, and if you want to keep up with beauty standards, you have to work hard.
Let us examine what was seen as an ideal woman during each decade.
1. The 1920s: The Flapper Look – Boyish, Bold, and Rebellious
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The ideal woman in the 1920s was pretty daring and very rebellious, and usually had short bobbed hair, thin brows, and a slim, almost androgynous figure.
Makeup rose a lot in popularity, and it was becoming fashionable. Most flappers had dark lips, heavy eyeliner, and rouge to match the jazz-fueled nightlife they all indulged in.
This era was all about women who rejected Victorian modesty and wanted more dance floors and independence.
This look marked one of the first times beauty became a symbol of rebellion.
2. The 1930s: Hollywood Glamour – Soft Waves and Sculpted Brows
As the Great Depression was becoming prominent, women found escape in the silver screen.
This meant that stars like Jean Harlow and Greta Garbo were setting the tone and the ideal look with perfectly arched eyebrows, soft curls, and a polished elegance.
The ideal woman was elegant, feminine, and meticulously put together. This was way different than what real life was all about.
It was a decade where women aspired to look like movie stars, and their income would not stop them from achieving that look.
3. The 1940s: Strong Yet Feminine – Victory Curls and Red Lips
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World War II happened, and it changed and shaped not just culture but beauty, too.
With many men at war, women had to adapt and take on new roles. This meant they had to adjust their beauty, too, so they rocked practical hairstyles (but did add femininity as well).
It was all about victory rolls, bold red lipstick, and a softly contoured face. This look defined the decade’s signature style.
The ideal woman was both capable and beautiful, and this proved that she could handle both work and wartime.
4. The 1950s: Hourglass Perfection – Curves, Cat Eyes, and Glamour
The postwar beauty turned to a more curvy and feminine look. The ideal was ultra-feminine, polished, and voluptuous.
Remember Marilyn Monroe or Elizabeth Taylor? These women were considered ideal with cinched waists, full skirts, and flawless complexions.
When it comes to makeup, it surely emphasized winged eyeliner, soft blush, defined lips, and perfectly styled hair.
The 1950s were a time when beauty meant looking like the perfect housewife (glamorous, yet domestic).
5. The 1960s: Mod & Minimal – Twiggy Lashes and Mini Skirts
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Style and beauty in the ’60s were both bold and experimental.
The “Mod” look, which was made famous by Twiggy, was all about big eyes, thin bodies, and lots of mascara.
Short pixie cuts and dramatic eye makeup were all the hype, and they were often paired with nude lips and shifting gender roles.
The ’50s curves and femininity were not so popular anymore, and the ideal woman was suddenly futuristic, swinging, and fiercely independent.
6. The 1970s: Natural and Free – Bare Faces and Boho Vibes
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During the 1070s, the glamorous and overdone looks were less and less popular.
People started turning towards natural looks, and suddenly, makeup was minimal, hair was let free, and clothes were much more comfortable. This, of course, applied to those influenced by the hippy culture, not disco queens.
The 1970s favored a less-is-more approach, and glowy and healthy skin was mostly all the makeup you needed.
The ideal woman looked effortless, and this look was really inspired by the feminist movement and a growing back-to-nature culture.
Icons like Farrah Fawcett and Cher were the ones who defined beauty (with a mix of freedom and flair).
7. The 1980s: Bigger, Bolder, Louder – Hair, Color, and Power Looks
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And as the pattern suggests, people got bored with the all-natural ’70s, and now the opposite was popular. This decade didn’t whisper; it shouted.
Women started wearing electric blue eyeshadow, neon blush, and voluminous hair to match their wild shoulder-padded suits.
The ideal woman was fierce, sexy, daring, career-driven, and unapologetically bold.
It was all about making a statement, whether you were in the office or in a club.
8. The 1990s: Heroin Chic to Girl-Next-Door – Thin Brows and Matte Lips
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Beauty in the ’90s definitely loved extremes. From the waif-thin “heroin chic” look to the fresh-faced “Friends” aesthetic, trends drastically swung between edgy and approachable.
Dark lipliner was paired with barely-there brows, and matte finishes ruled the makeup game.
What was the ideal? Well, the ideal woman ranged from Kate Moss to Jennifer Aniston. You could be minimal, edgy, moody, or all three, and you would be considered cool.
9. The 2000s: Glamour on Overdrive – Glossy, Tanned, and Totally Airbrushed
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Coming in to contrast the moody ’90s, this era was all about high-maintenance beauty.
Spray tans, acrylic nails, frosted eyeshadow, ultra-thin brows, and shiny lip gloss defined the Y2K aesthetic. Teenagers today long for it, and sometimes even try to recreate it because it was all about flawless looks.
Magazines literally pushed perfection, and you could see airbrushed celebrity covers and crash diets everywhere.
The ideal woman looked like a pop star, which meant she was always polished, had an ‘airbrushed’ look, and appeared as if she herself were a celebrity.
10. The 2010s–Today: Filters, Fillers, and Fierce Individuality
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Beauty has never been more customizable than today. If you have any imperfections, you can work on them at the clinic on the corner and get a new look in just a few days.
Individuality lost its popularity, and all women strive for the perfect ‘Instagram face’. Full lips, small nose, perfect skin, and glossy hair are the ideal, and a healthy lifestyle is becoming more and more popular.
The ‘clean girl’ look is all about looking healthy and clean, but it has to look natural and effortless.
However, when it comes to style, individuality and being boldly you.
